H-3208.3  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2779

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2002 Regular Session

By Representatives Clements, Armstrong and Holmquist

Read first time 01/28/2002.  Referred to Committee on Transportation.

Presenting alternative transportation plans to the voters.

    AN ACT Relating to presenting alternative transportation plans to the voters; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that:

    (1) The capacity of many of Washington state's transportation facilities have failed to keep up with the state's growth;

    (2) Current transportation revenues are not sufficient to fund, in a timely way, many of the major capacity and other improvements required on the state's highways;

    (3) The decision whether to increase those revenues resides with the people who use the transportation system and pay the taxes.  The people are entitled to a choice of options about how much additional revenue should be raised, if any, and how to raise it, and what efficiencies to require as a condition for any additional revenue.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The legislature shall exercise its authority under Article II, section 1(b) of the Washington state Constitution to present two transportation funding plans to the voters.

    (1) The two largest political parties that have elected members in the Washington state legislature shall each develop a transportation plan during the 2002 legislative session under the direction of their respective legislative leaders.  The legislative leaders may consult with other interested parties or hold meetings to aid them in developing the plan.  The plan shall:

    (a) Include additional sources of revenue dedicated to transportation purposes;

    (b) Require efficiencies to ensure that all transportation revenue is spent effectively.

    (2) The legislature must pass each plan developed under subsection (1) of this section as a separate referendum.  This action must take place during the 2002 legislative session.  The referendums shall be presented to the voters at the next general election following the effective date of this act.  For purposes of this section, "2002 legislative session" includes any extraordinary sessions convened prior to July 1, 2002.

                            --- END ---